“He’s not dumb,” Foster said of Hurts. “He’s gonna have to slide, or it’s not gonna be good for him.”

Fans on both sides should hope for at least one open-field encounter between Hurts, the Sooners’ newest star quarterback, and Foster, the Longhorns’ midfield missile. The former has been nigh unstoppable with arm and legs; the latter returned last week from a two-game absence and delivered a few characteristic bone-rattling hits.

Maybe we get that mano-a-mano at some point. But the quarterback duel between Hurts and Longhorns junior Sam Ehlinger will be the true main attraction at the State Fair of Texas on Saturday when sixth-ranked Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) and 11th-ranked Texas (4-1, 2-0) meet at the Cotton Bowl.

Ehlinger by now is a hardened Red River Showdown vet.

He fell as a true freshman to Baker Mayfield’s Sooners despite throwing for 278 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 110 and another score. Ehlinger last season got the best of Heisman winner Kyler Murray in a 48-45 shootout; he threw for 314 yards and two touchdowns and thrice ran across the goal line for critical scores.

Hurts is a Red River rookie, but pressure has become a close friend.

As a freshman, he led Alabama to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the College Football Playoff championship game. He stepped in for an injured Tua Tagovailoa in last year’s SEC championship game and manufactured two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 35-28 win over Georgia. He’s survived the annual clash between ‘Bama and Auburn.

If Hurts is drowning in pressure, he’s doing a great acting job trying to prove otherwise.

“I played in the Iron Bowl,” Hurts told reporters in Norman on Monday. “I played in big games before. I’ll be all right.”

Hurts, who played in high school at Channelview, compiled a 26-2 record as a starter in 2016 and ‘17. That made his swift fall from grace in Tuscaloosa all the more stunning.

Tagovailoa replaced a struggling Hurts at halftime of the 2018 national championship game and led ‘Bama to a 26-23 overtime victory over Georgia. That marked the end of one reign and the start of another.

That mid-game decision by Alabama coach Nick Saban was also the genesis of Hurts’ transfer to Oklahoma.

Now, Hurts leads the nation in passer rating (231.3) and yards per pass attempt (14), and his 499 rushing yards pace all quarterbacks and ranks 23rd nationally. At 6-foot-2, 218 pounds, with arm strength, accuracy and a knack for demoralizing defenses with his legs, the Sooners’ new signal-caller is every bit Ehlinger’s crimson-and-cream equal.

“He’s had success everywhere he’s been,” Ehlinger said. “Following his story and understanding what he’s persevered through, just unbelievable respect for him and what he’s been able to do. I’m extremely excited to get out there Saturday and compete against him.”

Texas is familiar with the antics of a mobile Oklahoma quarterback. It dealt with Murray last year, who in two games completed 73.3 percent of his passes for 683 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 131 yards and one score.

The Longhorns simply couldn’t slow Murray during a 39-27 loss in the Big 12 championship game. The bitter taste of that loss has lingered for months, with Saturday a chance to not only gain revenge, but make a statement about who has the edge this season.

Coordinator Todd Orlando and the rest of his defensive staff won’t get much sleep this week, not with so much to plan for against the nation’s most explosive offense. But in truth, it boils down to this: harass Hurts, stop him at all costs, and the game can be won.

“Anytime you have a dual-threat quarterback that can run like he does it’s going to be a huge factor scheme-wise and planning stuff out,” senior safety Brandon Jones said. “He gets the job done. Their offense is one of the best I’ve seen. We’re going to have to really harp on just eye discipline and doing our jobs.”

Maybe Hurts will start breathing a little heavier once he prepares to run out of the Cotton Bowl tunnel. Maybe he’ll tighten up once the Sooners cross onto the Texas side of the old stadium. Maybe this game really is a different beast.

What Hurts can be assured of is this: If he doesn’t get it now, in the days before this heated rivalry resumes, he’ll understand soon enough.

“It’s very different,” Foster said. “This is Texas. Texas is different. Football is more physical at Texas. The Red River Showdown is way better.”